Rolling mill



ct 6, 19360 P. W. MATTHEWS 29569433 ROLLING MILL Filed April 26, 1955 6Sheets-Sheet l INVEN'FOR ATTORNEY Oct, 7 P. w. MATTHEWS 2,056,433

ROLLING MILL Filed April 26, 1935 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ATTORNEY 06L193a P. w. MATTHEWS ROLLlNU- MILL Filed April 26, 1935 6 Sheets-Sheet 5p" ATTORNEY Oct. 6, 1936. R W, HE S 2,056,433

ROLLING MILL Filed April 26, 1933 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 A INVENTOR ATTORNEYP. W. MATTH EWS ROLLING MILL Oct. 6, 1936..

6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed April 26, 1933 r 3 O INVENTOR ATTORNEY P. wMATTHEWS I ,433

Get 6, 1936.

ROLLING MILL Filed April 26, 1935 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 a X]: 125 Ea a 115 14 251 79 111 1 7 124 G2 /g- 126 INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented Got. 6, 1%36U i T ROLLING MIILlL one-hundredths to Charles W. Neill,

Englewood, N. .l'.

West

Application April 26, 1933, Serial No. 667,997

42 (Claims.

This invention relates to rolling mills, and more particularly to thatclass of rolling mills known to the industries as four-high mills, ormills having relatively small diameter working rolls backed up orsupported by backing-up or supporting rolls of relatively largediameter.

Such mills are used to exert a tremendous pressure upon the materialwhich is being elongated between the working rolls, exerting suchpressure equally across the full width of the material being elongatedbetween the working rolls and delivering a product which is flat and ofpractically equal thickness across its full width and for its fulllength.

Such mills require that the adjustment of the rolls, causing them toadvance towards, or retreat from, each other, be made by very smallincrements.

Such mills require that the working and backing-up rolls be ofpractically constant diameter throughout their entire length, exceptthat the backing-up rolls may have their diameter varying by extremelysmall amounts, being slightly larger in their middle than at their endsto compensate for any deflection that may take place in these rolls, dueto the tremendous pressure that is exerted by them, on the workingrolls.

Such mills also require that the temperature of the rolls be controlledwithin a very close range and that this temperature be maintained forthe full length of the working rolls, in order that the diameter of theworking rolls can be maintained constant and also that the temperatureof the material, while in contact with the working rolls, can bemaintained practically constant for its entire width and thus avoid awarped and buckled product coming from the mill.

Such mills also require that the faces of the rolls be lubricated with asuitable lubricant to prevent the material being rolled from adhering tothe rolls and to produce a better finish on the rolled product.

Such mills also require that the upper backing-up roll and upper workingroll be balanced and that such balancing means shall so support therolls that there is no blow on the bearings, supporting the rolls, whenthe material enters or leaves the mill; also that the working rollbalance shall provide the means for affording traction between theworking rolls and the backlng-up rolls for the purpose of driving thebacking-up rolls.

Such mills also require that the means used for balancing the upperbacking-up and working rolls provide for quickly and simply affording(Gl. Bit-38) working clearance for removing the backing-up and workingroll units, bodily, from the mill when it becomes necessary to changethe rolls.

In the known types of rolling mills, the tremendous pressure requiredfor elongating material between the working rolls has been furnished bymeans of screws located on the top of each housing. Such screws arequite long and have the power required to rotate them applied at oneend, while the resistance to their turning is offered at practicallytheir other end, resulting in considerable torsional deflection takingplace in the screws, which very greatly increases the friction betweenthe threads on the screw and the threads in the screw-box or nut, and inmany cases squeezes out the lubricant between the faces of thescrew-threads and causes the screws to heat up and seize in thescrew-boxes or nuts. This torsional deflection of the screws causes anunequal pressure to be exerted on the rolls and likewise on the materialbeing elongated between the working rolls, resulting in the materialbeing 'thickei at one side than at the other, for no matter howsubstantial the connecting shafting and gearing may be made, connectingthe two screws together, this will not in any way reduce the torsionaldeflection in the screws. This torsional deflection reduces the usefulwork done by the screws on the rolls, and no matter how well the screwsare made, or how close the physical properties of the material agree,from which the two screws were made, it is not practical to assume thateach screw will torsionally deflect the same amount. Unlesspressure-indicating devices are used between the ends of the screws andthe roll supports and means are provided for operating one screwindependently of the other, this pressure can not be equalized.

In the known type of rolling mills, the backingup rolls have beensupported in anti-friction bearings carried in bearing casings in thehousings, which has resulted in these backing-up rolls becoming beams ofconsiderable span, which in order to reduce deflection in the body ofthe rolls to a minimum have had to be made of extremely large diameter,making them extremely heavy. difiicult and expensive to manufacture,

as well as requiring expensive equipment to handle them.

In the known type of rolling mills, the controlling of the temperatureand lubricating of the rolls has been accomplished by having streams oftemperature-controlling fluid flowing over the faces of the rolls, withattempts made to control the internal temperature of the working rollsby passing temperature-controlling liquid in at one tween the workingrolls, to produce a material that has had an equal pressure exerted onit over its entire width and length and is therefore of the samethickness over its entire width and length.

Another object is to provide working and backing-up rolls in which it ispossible to efficiently control the temperature of these rolls byinternal and external temperature-controlled zones, installing in eachof these zones means whereby the supply of temperature-controlling fluidis thermo statically controlled at each zone, thus providing meanswhereby the diameter of the rolls is controlled within very closelimits, and as desired, and also providing means for maintaining apractically constant temperature across the whole width of the materialbeing elongated between the working rolls, while in contact with saidworking rolls, thus removing the danger of the material being warped andbuckled upon its leaving the mill.

Other objects are to provide means for placing the anti-frictionbearings for supporting the backing-up rolls inside thetemperature-controlled zones of the rolls; to provide means forcontinuously supplying temperature-controlling lubricating fluid tothese anti-friction bearings through thermostatically-controlled supplypipes at the zones; to provide means whereby it will not be possible tosqueeze the lubricating fluid out of these bearings when operating thescrew-down with the rolls stationaPy: to reduce the unsupported lengthof the backing-up rolls as much as possible, thus reducing thedeflection in the rolls and likewise the necessity for having rolls oflarge diameter, resulting in a great saving in weight, cost ofmanufacture and of handling the rolls;

and to provide means whereby it will be possible to have the backing-upand working rolls made of material which may be heat-treated andhardened to any extent desired.

Still other objects are to provide means whereby the top backing-up andtop working rolls are balanced so that there is no blow on theanti-friction bearings, when the material enters or leaves the mill; toprovide means for affording ample working clearance for the purpose ofremoving a' top backing-up roll unit or the working roll units bodilyfrom the mill when desired; to provide means for keeping the workingrolls in tight contact with the backing-up rolls so as to furnishtraction for driving the backing-up rolls by the working rolls; toprovide zone-divided means whereby the faces of the backing-up andworking rolls may be lubricated in an efiicient and economical manner toprevent the material being rolled from adhering to them and to helpproduce a. better finish on the material being rolled in the mill.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will appear orbe pointed out as the specification proceeds.

In the accompanying drawings, forming part hereof:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a four-high mill made in accordance withthe invention, having two working rolls and two backing-up rolls.

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view showing the relative positions of therolls when applying the in- Fig. 6 is a fragmentary top plan view fromthe line VI- VI of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is an end view, looking to the right in Fig. 5, the cooling rollsand easing being removed,

and a portion of the mill being shown in section taken on the lineVII-VII of Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged sectional view through the working and backing-uprolls and the cooling rolls and casings. I 1

Fig. 9 is an enlarged right-sectional view on the line IX-IX of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view, on radial planes, ofa working roll and a cooling roll.

Fig. 11 is a sectional view, one-half on the line XI--XI and one-half onthe line XIa-XIa of Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is an enlarged detail sectional view of thethermostatically-controiled fluid supply nozzle, on the line XII--X[I ofFig. 13.

Fig. 13 is a sectional view on the line X[II XIII of Fig. 12.

Fig. 14 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the fluid-filledaccumulator and displacement balance cylinder for the working andbacking-up 2 on a bed plate 3. A drain tank 4 extends below the bedplate, and fluid flows from the tank through drain pipes I. The housingI is securely keyed to the supporting girders 2 by keys 6, and thegirders 2 and bed plate 3 can be fastened to a foundation by bolts I.The girders are keye to the bed plate by keys I.

A rotatable screw-down equalizing shaft housing 9 has a cam face ii incontact with a bearing block i i. There is a similar cam face at theother end of the equalizing shaft housing. The portions of the housingon which these cam faces are formed comprise plate cams, the term beingused in this specification to indicate a cam of the type in which therelative movement of the follower is at right angles to the axis ofrotation of the cam, as compared with cylindrical cams in which thefollower has all or at least a component of its movement in a directionparallel to the axis of rotation of the cam. The face of a plate cam maybe as wide as desired.

A tapered wedge block 12 extends through the side wall of the millhousing, and has flanges l3 on each end to hold it in position. Atapered wedge It also extends through the side wall of the mill housing,and this wedge can be moved by a pull bolt l5 or push bolts ii forlining up the rolls in case of any misalinement of the housings.

The housing 9 is movable vertically in side bearings ll. Each of theseside bearings is horizontally adjustable by means of a tapered wedge I8,

keyed to the housing 9 by a key 2|.

The housing 9 is held in the mill housing sby clamps l9.

A rotatable screw-down equalizer shaft 29 is The shaft turns on abearingblock 2ia, which is supported by a balance beam 22. An accumulator. ordisplacement balance cylinder 23 is filled with mercury or othersuitable fluid, and is supported under one end of the balance beam 22 bya lug 24 on the side of mill housing I. Asimilar lug 24a supports apivot bracket 25 under the other end of the balance beam .22. Thefunction of the cylinder 23 and pivot bracket 25, and the operation ofthe balance beam 22 will be explained hereinafter. The construction thusfar described is the same on both sides of the mill.

Backing-up rolls 26 of large diameter contact with working rolls 21,which are of relatively small diameter. The lower and upper Workingrolls have housings 28 and 29, respectively, and tapered wedges 30 and3!, respectively, are used for lining up the housings. Clamps 32 and 33i hold the housings 29 and 29, respectively, in the mill housing. Anaccumulator and displacement balance cylinder 34 is filled with mercuryor other suitable fluid. This cylinder 34 is for balancing the upperbacking-up roll, as will be more fully explained in the description of'Fig. i l.

Figs. 2 and 4 are diagrammatic views showing five-high mills with oneand two backing-up rolls for the top and bottom working rolls. Fig. 3shows the location of the backing-up rolls when using two for eachworking roll of a four-high mill. These views illustrate three of themodifications which can be made in the preferred embodiment of theinvention.

Fig. 5 shows top and side separators 35 and 36, respectively, for themill housing. A screw 31 is partially enclosed by an upper screw-downhousing 38 and screw-down housing cover 39. The screw 31 threads througha screw-box or nut 49, and has a guide block 49a which slides in thehousing cover 39.

A worm-wheel 4i is driven by a worm and shaft 42. An anti-frictionthrust bearing 43 is located between the .mlll end of the screw-box ornut 40 and the worm-wheel 41, and a. bushing 44 is located between thescrew-down housing 36 and the hub of the worm-wheel 4|. At the otherside of the worm-wheel there is a bushing and thrust washer 45 betweenthe screw-down housing cover 39 and the hub of the worm-wheel M.

The worm and shaft 42 are driven by a wormwheel 46, which is rotated bya wormand shaft 41. A fiexible'coupling 48 connects the worm and shaft41 with an electric motor 49. The electric motor has a magnetic brake50, which is released by power supplied to the motor but strong enoughto prevent rotation of the motor when the power is not turned on. Abracket 5! supports the motor. The worm reduction gearing described iscontained in a case 52. Similar screw-down mechanism is provided for thebottom backingup roll.

A clevis 53, on the end of the screw 31, is connected to a link 54 by apin 55. Rollers 56 (Fig. 6) on opposite ends of the pin 55 run in guides59 which are attached to the housing 39.

The rotatable housings 9 are securely tied together by a connectingframe 58. Keys 69 (Figs. '1 and 9) housings 9 and connecting frame 58.

The lower screw-down housing 6| forms a part of the supporting girder 2.The other parts of the lower screw-down mechanism are similar to insurepermanent alinement of the that already described for the upperbacking-up roll and are designated by the same reference characters." 7

Temperature-controlling rollers 62 and 62a. contact with the backing-uprolls 26 and working rolls 21, respectively. These rollers can be usedto either heat or cool the rolls with which they contact. For somerolling processes it is desirable to add heat to the working rolls, andfor other rolling processes it is necessary to cool the working rolls.There are two'temperature-controlling rollers 62 for the upperbacking-up roll and two temperature-controlling rollers 62a for theupper working roll. All of these upper temperature-controllingrollersare contained in an upper roller casing 63. The lowertemperaturecontrolling rollers are contained in a lower roller casing64. Each of the roller casings is supported by an arm 65 slidable in aguide 66.

Both the upper and lower links 54 are connected to their respectiveframes 53 by pins 61.

Referring to Fig. 7, a pipe 68 connects the tanks 4. Bushings 69 and 19are shown surrounding the pins 61. Bushings can also be used as bearingsfor the pin 55 (Figs. 5 and 6). Anti-friction bearings can besubstituted for these bushings. Universal jaw ends 1| cooperate withdriving spindles for driving the working, rolls 21.

Inside of each backing-up roll 26 is a fluid discharge trough 15 (Fig.8), a fluid supply pipe 16, and fluid return pipe 11. Fluid from thepipe 16 is supplied through a nozzle 18 on the end of the pipe 16.Heat-insulated fluid supply and return pipes 19 and 19a, respectively,extend along the axis of the backing-up roll 26. Other heat-insulatedfluid supply and return pipes and 8011., respectively, extend along theaxis of the work ing roll 21.

An anti-friction thrust bearing Si is located midway between the ends ofthe backing-up roll.

Fluid for the outside of the temperature-controlling rolls 62 and 62a issupplied through headers 82. Shut-off valves 83 control the supply offluid from the header-82, through individual supply lines 84, to theseparate compartments of the roller cases 63 and 64.

Each of the compartments of the roller cases 63 and 64 has laterallyadjustable division baifies 85. Spring-controlled wipers 86 have tips offelt or other suitable material in contact with the faces of the rollsfor wiping off any excess liquid or foreign matter.

Referring to Fig. 9, anti-friction bearings have their inner races 81securely clamped against lateral movement on the shaft 20 by means ofsplit collars 98 and locking nuts 89. These anti-friction bearings haverollers 9|], and cages or separators 9i for separating and alining therollers 90. Their outer races 92 are securely clamped to the backing-uproll 26 by means of end covers 93.

Conveyor buckets 94 on the inside faces of the end covers carry upliquid and discharge it into hoppers 95, from which it flows into theantifriction bearings.

A fluid supply pipe 96, having a shut-off valve 91, connects with oneend of the pipe 19. A discharge head 98 at the end of the pipe 19a islocated above a funnel 99 at the entrance to a drain line H99.

A neck at each end of the working roll 21 runs in an anti-frictionbearing IUI. The end of the working roll remote from the universal jawend ii is provided with an anti-friction thrust bearing 5 92. Fluid issupplied to the working roll through a supply line )3 and valve M14. Thefluid from All An annular space I08 between the inside wall of theworking roll and the outside of the pipe 88a is .used for thermostaticzone-temperature-control units which will be explained in describingFig. 10.

A threaded rod I89 extends through the division bafiles 85, and thebattles are held in position by nuts IIO threaded on the rod.

The temperature-controlling roller 62a has an annular space I I I forthermostatic zone-temperature-control units. The ends of the roller runin anti-friction bearings II2, one of which is shown in Fig. 9. Fluid issupplied'to the temperaturecontrolling roller through a supply pipe H3and valve II4. A discharge head H5 directs fluid flowing from thetemperature-controlling roller 62a into a funnel H6 at the top of adrain pipe 1.

Figs. 10 and 11 show the pipes which extend along the axes of one of theworking rolls 21 and one of the temperature-controlling rollers 82a. Thepipes within the other working roll and other temperature-controllingrollers are similar to those shown in these views. The fluid supply pipe80 has a double wall and an insulating space II8 between the walls. Thefluid return pipe 80a has a double wall enclosing an insulating spaceI28. The pipes 80 and 88a communicate with the annular space III throughports I2I and I22, respectively.

A sleeve I23 surrounds the pipe 80a and has openings I2 Ia and I22a inregister with the ports I2I and I22. A packing ring I24 and a packingbacking-up ring I25 at each end of the sleeve I23 close the spacebetween the pipe 880. and the inside wall of the roll 62a. The rings I25contact with spacing sleeves I26.

' A sleeve I21 has an annular mercury chamber I28 from which extendcylindrical portions in which plungers slide as the mercury expands andcontracts with changes of temperature. One such plunger I29 is shown inFig. 10. The construction will be more fully explained in thedescription of Figs. 12 and 13. A spring I36 urges the sleeve I21 into aposition over the ports I22a to cut off the flow of fluid through theseports. The plungers I29 bear against a shoulder at the end of the sleeveI23, and when the mercury in the sleeve I21 expands, it thrusts againstthe plungers I29 and forces the sleeve I21 toward the right in Fig. 10so that the ports I22a are opened. The degree of opening depends on theexpansion of the mercury which is heated by the fluid in the annularspace III. The piping and thermostat control in the working roll 21 arethe same as that described for the temperature-controlling roll 62a.

Figs. 12 and 13 show a thermostatically controlled sleeve I3I on thelower end ofone of the fluid supply pipes 16 similar to the thermostaticcontrol means of the sleeve I 21. A mercury chamber I32 has cylindricalportions in which plungers I33 are slidable. A spring I34 is compressedbetween the sleeve I3I and a collar on the'pipe 16. This spring I 34urges the sleeve I3I toward the nozzle 18 at the end of the pipe so thatthe plungers I33 contact with the nozzle 18. When the mercury in thechamber I32 expands with heat, it causes relative movement between thesleeve I3I and plungers I33. Since the plungers are prevented frommoving by the nozzle 13, the

' sleeve is moved away from the nozzle. When the mercury contracts, thespring I34 moves the sleeve toward the nozzle 18.

The nozzle 18 has a small discharge orifice, and

there is a plurality of ports I 36 around the periphery of the pipe 18above the nozzle 18. These ports I36 are covered by the sleeve I3Iexcept when the fluid in the zone gets hot. enough to cause the mercuryto expand and move the sleeve I3I upward until it uncovers the portsI36. When the invention is used to supply heat to the rolls and rollers.the openings uncovered by the thermostatically operated sleeves arelocated so that movement of the sleeves by expansion of the mercurycloses the openings through which the heating fluid circulates.

Fig. 14 is a sectional view through the cylinder 23 and adjacent parts.A plunger I31 extends through the top of the cylinder 23. A packing ringI38 around the plunger is held in place by a cover I39. The cylinder isfilled with mercury I40, or other suitable fluid, and a displacementplunger I4I extends through the side of the cylinder.

A worm-wheel I42 is secured to a nut I42a, which fits a threaded endportion of the displacement plunger I. The worm-wheel is operated by aworm and shaft I43, and the shaft is turned by a hand-wheel I 44, or anelectric motor may be substituted for the hand-wheel.

The worm-wheel I42 and part of the displacement plunger I are enclosedin a housing I45 having a cover plate I46. Bearings I41 on both sides ofthe worm-wheel I42 contact with an outside bearing surface on the hub ofthe wormwheel and also extend over the ends of the hub to serve asthrust bearings.

A balancing-adjusting plunger I48 is urged upward by a spring I49, andthe compression of this spring is adjustable by an adjusting screw I50,which threads through a bracket I52. One end of the balance beam 22(Fig. 1) is supported by the plunger I31. The mercury or other fluid inthe cylinder 23 is under pressure from the spring I49 and the plungerI31 is therefore urged upward by the spring acting through the liquidand the plunger I31 can move downward by displacing the adjustingplunger I48 against the pressure of the spring. The cylinder 23 and itsassociated elements thus provide means whereby the faces of allsupporting members for the top backing-up roll are held in close contactwith one another and remove any danger of .the antifriction bearingsreceiving a blow when the material enters or leaves the mill.

Fig. 15 shows a modified construction for exerting spring pressure on abalance-adjusting plunger 811. The spring I49 shown in Fig. 14 causes avarying pressure to exist in cylinder 23, dependent on the amount orcompression of the spring. This variation in pressure is in some casesundesirable. Fig. 15 shows levers used in combination with spring I49ato produce a con: stant pressure on cylinder 23, which arrangement oflevers compensates for the varying force exerted by the spring for thevarious working deflections of the spring. Instead of bearing directlyagainst a screw I50a and plunger I48a, the spring I49a has fittings I68at its ends, and these fittings are pivotally connected to the adjustingscrew I5Iia and a second class lever I62 which is fulcrumed on a bracketI52a and contacts with the bottom of the plunger I48a.

The operation of the invention is as follows:

Referring to Fig. 9, a temperature-controlling fluid of high specificheat and of a predetermined pressure and temperature is supplied to theroll 21 by supply pipe I03, the flow of which fluid may be shut off orregulated by valve I 84. The supply pipe I83 is connected by suitablemeans to central insulated supply pipe iltl, which extends -forpractically the full length or the interior of the working roll 21. Thecirculation of the fluid within the working roll is the same as in thecooling roller 62a, which will be described. The fluid: returns from theworking roll 21 through the perature-controlling means for absorbingheatfrom the working and backing-up rolls. I do not,

. however, limit myself to this feature as the means shown may be usedfor supplying heat to the temperature-controlling backing-up andworking,

rolls without in any way departing from the essential features.

The temperature-controlling and lubricating of the exterior of theworking rolls 21 and backing-up rolls 26 will now be described.

Referring to Fig. 8, temperature-controlling rollers 62a and 62 are heldin contact with the faces of the working rolls Z'I and backing-up rolls28, and are revolved by frictional contact with the rolls. V-shapedspaces E65 are formed between the rollers 62a and working rolls 21, andV-shaped spaces I68 are formed between lower backing-up rolls 26 androllers 62. Reservoirs G08 are provided in the 'upper roll casing 63, inwhich-the rollers 62 in contact with the face of the upper backing-uproll 26 are immersed in lubricant. The t -shaped spaces H65 and I66 andthe reservoirs @38 are divided up into zones by means of bafies 85,which are adjustably mounted on rods W9 (Figs. 8 and 9) and. secured'inpredetermined positions on them by means of nuts H0. The baflles 85 areconstructed of suitable material, which will not mark or scratch therolls or rollers. I

A suitable lubricant is furnished to each zone of the zone-dividedspaces the, i183 and reservoirs I68 from the supply headers 82 by meansof the individual supply pipes 84, which are each equipped withregulating and shut-ofi valves 83.

Referring to Fig. 9, the temperature-controlling roller 62a is in theform of a thin hollow cylinder containing heat-insulated supply andreturn pipes 80 and Still, to which pipes the ends of roller 62a issuitably attached. The ends of pipes 80 and 3011. are suitably arrangedfor the mounting of the inner races of the anti-friction bearings M2,while the outer races of the anti-friction bearings M2 are mounted inthe supporting arms 55 of the upper and lower roller casings B3 and 86.

The roller casings b3 and ed to which are attached the arms 55 (Fig. 5)are slidably mounted in guides 85 provided on housing El.

Referring to Figs. 10 and 11, the annular space i i i is providedbetween the interior of the roller 62a and the exterior of theheat-insulated return pipe still The thermostatically-ccntrolledtemperature-control units, already described, are 10- eated in thisannular space Ml.

Referring back to Fig. 9. a temperature-controlling fiuid of highspecific heat and of a predetermined pressure and temperature isfurnished to the temperature-controlling roller. 32a by.

means of the supply pipe M3, the supply being regulated or shut off byvalve M l. Pipe H3 is suitably connected to the central heat-insulatedsupply pipe 80.

The pipe 80 has a series of supply ports I2I ar ranged throughout itslength, and the pipe 80a has return ports I22 which connect the interiorof the pipes 80 and 80a with the annular space iII formed between theoutside of the pipe 80a "and the interior of the roller 62a. In theannular space IIII are installed the sleeves I23 upon each end of whichare arranged the packing rings I24 backed up by backing rings I25, thussealing oil portions of the annular space III into zones. In each sleeveI23 are a series of ports I2Ict for the supply, and I22a for the return,of the temperature-controlling fluid. Mounted. on the sleeve I23 is athermostatically controlled sleeve I21, which'is provided with acircular mercury chamber I28 and plungers I29, one end of the plungersI29 being incontact with the mercury in the chamber I28, the other endin contact with a flange on the end of the sleeve I23. Between the I23,there is a spring I30, which forces the sleeve I21 toward the left inFig. 10 to close the ports I22a.

Central supply pipe80, return pipe 80d, and annular space I II areinsulated from one another by means of the sealed spaces H8 and I20,thus preventing as far as possible the transfer of heat between. thesupply and return temperaturecontrolling fluid. The sleeves I23 will beprevented from turning onthe pipe 80a by suit able means. The sleevesI23 may be separated in the annular space III, if desired, and spacingsleeves I26 or other suitable means may be used for the purpose ofseparating them. It will thus back of the sleeve I21 and the collar onsleeve working roll may be divided up into any number oftemperature-controlling zones with means for thermostaticallycontrolling the supply of temperature-controlling fluid inside eachzone.

Fluid from the drain lines I01 and I I1 flows to a central treatingp1ant,-where,the temperatum-controlling fluid is brought back to apredetermined temperature and returned under a predetermined pressure tothe supply pipes I03 and H3.

The control of the temperature of the backingup rolls will now bedescribed. Referring to Figs. 8, 9, 12, and 13, temperature-controllingfluid is supplied by pipe 96, the fluid supply being controlled or shutoff by valve 91. Pipe 96 is connected in a suitable manner to centralsupply pipe I10 within the insulated supply pipe 19. -Conmeeting tocentral supply pipe I10 Is a series of pipes 16, which discharge into aseries of zones as follows: Zone I13 formed by the end covers 83 andanti-friction bearings comprising inner race 81, outer race 92 andalined and separated rollers 90; zone I14 formed by the aforesaidantifriction bearings and diaphragms I16; and zones I18 formed by thediaphragms I16 and the dentral thrust plate I19 of the double-actinganti-m,

friction thrust bearing BI.

Each of the fluid supply pipes 16 is equipped at its end with a nozzle18 having a small discharge orifice. A series of ports I36 (Figs. 12 and13) are provided in the periphery of the pipe 16, these portsbeing-covered by the sleeve I3I having the circular mercury chamber I32and the plungers I33, one end of the plungers I33 being in contact withthe nozzle 18 and the other end in contact with the mercury in themercury chamber I32.

A temperature-controlling fluid supply pipe 16 with thermostaticallycontrolled discharge ports I36 is shown discharging fluid into each zoneI13, part of the fluid flowing directly into the anti-friction bearingand into zone I14, and the balance of the fluid being conveyed up theside of the zone I13 by means of the buckets 94 provided around theperiphery of the end covers 93. The buckets when approaching the top ofzone I13 become inverted and discharge their contents into the hopper95, which directs the fluid into the anti-friction bearing, keeping allparts of the anti-friction bearing thoroughly flooded withtemperature-controlling fluid. Another of the fluid supply pipes 16discharges into zone I14, because the temperature of thetemperature-controlling fluid leaving the anti-friction bearing may bebeyond the range of the temperature desired to be maintained in thiszone, and therefore additional temperature-controlling fluid must besupplied to this zone.

Another of the temperature-controlling fluid supply pipes 16 dischargesfluid into each of the zones I18. The temperature-controlling fluid isconveyed up the sides of zones I14 and I18 by means of the buckets 14,which, when approaching the top of the zones I14 and I18, becomeinverted and discharge their contents into discharge troughs 15, whichare connected by pipes 11 to the insulated return pipe 19a whichdischarges the fluid through the discharge head 98 into the open funnel99 attached to drain pipe I00, from where it flows to a centraltemperaturecontrolling fluid-treating plant, where it may be filtered,pumped, temperature-regulated and returned at a predeterminedtemperature and a predetermined pressure to the supply pipe 96.

At zones I18 a portion of the discharge troughs .15 are carried up overthe top of the double-acting anti-friction thrust bearings to preventbuckets.

14 from discharging their contents back down into zones 118 through thethrust bearings.

Thus the backing-up roll is divided into a number of temperature-controlzones, and the temperature-controlling fluid is admittedto each zone bythermostatically controlled means located in each zone and operated asfollows: The supply pipes 16 upon which are mounted the sleeves I3I aresubmerged in temperature-controlling fluid in each zone, to such a depththat the mercury chamber in sleeve I3I is adequately covered so that anychange in the temperature of the fluid will cause the mercury to expandin the chamber and force sleeves I3I up, uncovering ports I36 andadmitting an increased volume of fluid to the zone. It will also be seenthat this interior means for controlling and maintaining a practicallyconstant temperature and likewise a practically constant diameter of theworking rolls for their entire length, so that the material elongatedbetween the working rolls is of substantially the same thickness for itsentire width and length. The temperature of the. material elongatedbetween the working rolls, when worked cold or comparatively cold, 'ispractically constant over its entire width since any transfer of heatfrom the working rolls to the material or from the material to theworking rolls is practically even over the full width of the material,so that the material after rolling is flat and not warped or buckled.When rolling material having a higher temperature than the temperatureof the working rolls, any difference in the'temperature of the material,in any part of its width, over the terriperature of any other part ofits width, causes a greater rate of heat transfer from the material tothe working rolls at such part, so that the material will leave therolls at a more nearly even temperature, thereby reducing to a minimumthe warping and buckling caused by uneven temperature.

The invention is not limited to the number of rolls or rollers shown, orto any particular number or length of temperature-controlling zones, ornumber and location in each zone of supply pipes 16. The number and typeof anti-friction bearings can be changed. Separate supply pipes can becarriedto each zone-in place of the central supply pipe I10, and otherchanges and modifications may be made, and various features of theinvention may be used alone or in combination with other features,without departing from the in-'- vention as defined in the claims.

I claim:

1. A sheet rolling mill comprising a set of working rolls through whichthe material passes, a set of backing-up rolls for holding the workingrolls against the material during a rolling operation, one set of rollsbeing hollow with a plurality 01' partitions spaced axially on theinside of each roll and dividing the roll into severaltemperature-controlling zones along the length of the roll behind itsperipheral face, and means for supplying separate streams of fluid tothe respective zones to control the temperature of the'roll throughoutits length.

2. In a rolling mill for rolling sheet material of any practical widthup to a width substantially equal to the length of the body of therolls, the

combination of two sets of rolls consisting of up- 'of the roll, andmeans for supplying fluid to the respective temperature-controllingzones to maintain the temperature and diameter of the roll substantiallyconstant. I

3. In a rolling mill, a hollow roll having a body portion, partitions insaid roll spaced axially and dividing the roll into severaltemperature-com trolling zones, conduits through which fluid flows toand from the respective zones, said zones being sufliciently numerousand suflicie'ntly short,

in relation to the size of the roll, to maintain the temperature anddiameter of the roll substantially constant when the rolling mill is inoperation.

4. In a rolling mill, a hollow roll, partitions dividing the interior ofthe roll into several cylindrical axially extendingtemperature-controlling zones, conduits for the flow of liquid to andfrom the respective zones, and means for independently controlling theflow of liquid through said zones, including a thermostat for each zone.

5. In a rolling mill, a hollow roll with its in-v terior divided bypartitions into several axially extending, cylindrical chambers,conduits through which separate streams of liquid flow to and from therespective chambers, and means for controlfor temperature-controllingliquid between said axially spaced partitions, anothertemperaturecontrolling liquid chamber in the roll adjacent the chamberbetween said "partitions, a conduit for liquid extending through theadjacent chamber and opening into the chamber between said partitions,and heat insulating means over said conduit to minimize heat transferthrough the walls of the conduit where it passes through said adjacentchamber.

'7. A rolling mill including a hollow roll containing two axially spacedpartitions, a chamber for temperature-controlling liquid between saidaxially spaced partitions, another temperaturecontrolling liquid chamberin the roll adjacent the chamber between said partitions, a conduit forsupplying liquid to the chamber between said partitions, another conduitfor the flow of liquid from the chamber between said partitions, both ofsaid conduits extending through said adjacent chamber, and heatinsulating means over each of said conduits to minimize heat transferthrough the walls of said conduits.

8. In a rolling mill, a hollow roll divided by axially spaced partitionsinto several temperature-controlling zones, a pipe extending through thepartitions and opening into each of said zones, and heat insulatingmeans surrounding the pipeto prevent any substantial transfer of heatbetween the liquid in the pipe and the temperature-controlling zonesthrough 'which it passes. I

9. In a rolling mill, a hollow roll divided by axially spaced partitionsinto several temperature-controlling zones, a common supply conduitpassing through the roll and opening into each of said zones forsupplying temperature-controlling liquid to said zones, a commondischarge conduit passing through the roll andopeni-ng into each of saidzones, and heat insulating means over both of said conduits.

10. In a rolling mill for rolling sheet material of various widths, thecombination of two sets of rolls consisting of an upper and a lowerhollow working roll and upper and lower backing-up rolls, together withmeans inside of the 11. In a rolling mill for rolling sheet material ofvarious widths, the combination of two sets of rolls consisting of anupper and a lower working roll and an upper and a lower hollowbacking-up roll, together with means inside of the backing-up rollsdividing the interior of said backing-up rolls into several zones,thermostatically controlled means located in said zones for controllingthe temperature and likewise the diameter of the'backing-up rolls,within the limits of said zones, by means of temperature-controllingfiuid supplied through said thermostatically controlled means, and meansfor removing said temperature-controlling fluid from said zones.

12. In a rolling mill for rolling sheet material of various widths, thecombination of two sets of rolls consisting of an upper and a lowerhollow temperature-controlled zone-divided working roll, and upper ahdlower hollow temperature controlled zone-divided backing-up rolls,together with hollow temperature-controlled zonedividedtemperature-controlling rollers in contact with the exterior of saidworking rolls and cooperating with the working roll internal temperaturecontrol to control the temperature and diameter of said working rollwithin the limits of said zones, together with zone-divided means forcontinuously lubricating the faces of said working rolls.

13. In a rolling mill for rolling sheet material of various widths, thecombination of two sets of rolls consisting of an upper and a lowerhollow temperature-controlled zone-divided working roll, and upper andlower hollow temperaturecontrolled zone-divided backing-up rolls,together .with hollow temperature-controlled zone-dividedtemperature-controlling rollers in contact with the exterior of saidbacking-up rolls and coop erating with the internal temperature-controlof the backing-up rolls to control the temperature and diameter ofsaid'backing-up rolls within the limits of said zones, together withmeans for continuously lubricating the faces ofsaid backing-up rolls.

14. In a rolling mill'for rolling sheet material of any practical widthup to a width substantially equal to the length of the body of therolls, the combination of two sets of rolls consisting of an upper and alower hollow temperaturecontrolled zone-divided working roll, and upperandelower hollow temperature-controlled zonedivided backing-up rolls,together with hollow temperature-controlled zone-dividedtemperature-controlling rollers in contact with said working andbacking-up rolls for controlling the temperature of the exterior of saidworking and backing-up rolls, together with means for continuouslysupplying suitable temperature-controlling fluid to thetemperature-control zones of said working rolls, backing-up rolls andtemperature-controlling rollers at any predetermined desired pressureand temperature, .and zonedivided means for lubricating the faces ofsaid working and backing-up rolls.

15. In a sheet rolling mill, hollow working rolls between which thesheets pass, means for supply ing temperature-controlling fluid to amultiplicity of zones within each working roll to maintain thetemperature and diameters of the working rollsv uniform throughout theirwidth, hollow backing-up rolls in contact with the working rolls forholding them against the work with great pressure, bearings located ineach backing-up roll and spaced from the ends of the roll to reduce theunsupported span of said roll so that it is subj'ect to substantially nodeflection when under load, and means for supplyingtemperature-controlling fiuid to a multiplicity of zones in each of thebacking-up rolls to maintain the temperatureand diameter of thebacking-up roll. uniform throughout its width.

16. In a rolling mill having working rolls, 'and hollow backing-uprolls, anti-friction bearings for each hollow backing-up roll, saidbearings being located within the backing-up roll behind the face of theroll for reducing the unsupported span of said backing-up roll, andmeans for controlling the temperature of each backing-up roll includingaxially spaced partitions dividing the hollow interior of the backing-uproll into zones, and conduits for supplying temperature-controllingliquid to said zones.

17. In a sheet rolling mill, hollow rolls, means for circulating fluidthrough said rolls to control their temperature, and other means forcontrol-' ling the temperature of said rolls including temperature-controlling rollers in contact with the peripheral surfaces ofsaid hollow rolls.

18. A sheet rolling mill comprising working rolls between which thesheet passes, backing-up rolls in contact with the working rolls forholding them against the sheet with great pressure, means forcirculating fluid through the working rolls to control theirtemperature, and other means for controlling the temperature of saidworking rolls including temperature-controlling rollers in contact withthe peripheral surfaces of the working rolls.

19. A sheet rolling mill comprising hollow working rolls between whichthe sheet passes, means for circulating fluid through the working rollsfor controlling their tempetrature, hollow backing-up rolls in contactwith the working rolls for holding them against the sheet with greatpressure, means for circulating fluid through the backing-up rolls forcontrolling their temperature, and auxiliary temperature controllingmeans for the working rolls and backing-up rolls, said means includingrollers in contact with the peripheral surfaces of the working rolls andbacking-up rolls.

20. In a rolling mill, working rolls, hollow backing-up rolls withaxially spaced partitions dividing the hollow interior of eachbacking-up roll into temperature-controlling zones, means forcirculating liquid through said zones, and

bearings for the backing-up rolls including antifriction members locatedin certain of the temperature-controlling zones.

chamber.

21. A temperature-controlling roller comprising a hollow body portion,axially spacedpartitions dividing-the interior of the roller intoseveral chambers for the circulation of temperaturecontrolling liquidbehind the face of said roller, and conduit means within said roller forthe supply and discharge of the temperature-controlling liquid to andfrom the respective chambers in proportion to the amount of heattransferred through the portion of the roll face overlying said 22. Atemperature-controlled roll having a hollow body portion, partitions inthe roll spaced axially and dividing the roll into severaltemperature-controlling zones, conduits through which fluid flows to andfrom the respective zones, said zones being sufficiently numerous andsufficiently short, in relation to the size of the roll, to maintain thetemperature of the roll substantially constant across its width when theface of the roll is rolling on a surface which exposes the roll todifferent temperatures across its width.

23. In a rolling mill having a working roll and auxiliarytemperature-controlling a hollow backing-up roll, bearings locatedwithin the backingup roll and behind the face of the roll to reduce theunsupported span of said backing-up roll, and means for controlling thetemperature of' the backing-up roll including axially spaced partitionsdividingthe hollow interior of the backing-up roll intotemperature-control zones with the hearings in separate zones, andconduits. for supplying temperature-controlling liquid to the respectivezones.

24. In a rolling mill having a working roll and a hollow backing-uproll, axially spaced partitions dividing the hollow interior of thebacking-up roll into temperature-controlling zones, means forcirculating liquid through said'zones, and bearings for the backing-uproll located in certain of the temperature-controlling zones.

25. The combination with a rolling mill having working rolls for rollingsheets, and backing-up rolls for holding the working rolls against thework with great pressure, of mechanism for controlling the pressure ofthe rolls including rotary plate cams located near opposite ends of abacking-up roll, supporting means on which each cam turns in a fixedplane of rotation, mechanism for rotating both of the cams in unison sothat. both ends of the backing-up roll move an equal distance, and meanswithin the rolls for maintaining a substantially uniform temperatureacross the width of the rolls, so that the diameter of the rolls and thepressure on the working rolls on the work is maintained equal across theentire width of the work.

26. In a rolling mill for rolling sheet material of any practical widthup to a width substantially equal to the length of the body of therolls, the combination of two sets of rolls including an upper and alower working roll and an upper and a lower hollow backing-up roll, eachof which is divided internally into several zones across its width fortemperature-controlling fluid, means for bringing the rolls together byan equal amount from end to end to regulate the pressure against thework, said means comprising an equalizing shaft extending through andprojecting beyond the end of each backing-up roll, a cam rigidlyconnected to each end of the equalizing shaft, a connecting framejoining both cams, and mechanism connecting with said frame for movingit and the cams and equalizing shaft in unison.

27. In a rolling mill for rolling sheet material of various widths, thecombination of two sets of rolls consisting of an upper and a lowerworking roll and an upper and a lower temperaturecontrolled zone-dividedhollow backing-up roll,

together with means including rotatable equalizing shafts for bringingthe rolls together by an equal amount from end to end so that said rollsoffer substantially the same resistance for their whole length to thematerial being rolled, inner races on said rotatable equalizing shafts,outer controlling zones in the backing-up roll, and con- I duits for theflow of fluid to and from said zones.

29. In a rolling mill for rolling sheet material extending'practicallythe full width of the mill, the combination of an upper and a lowerworking roll and an upper and a lower backing-up roll, together withoperating mechanism for bringing the rolls together, said operatingmechanism including rigid plate cams constructed and arranged so thatthe rolls are brought together at both ends by exactly the same amount,and means within the rolls for maintaining the temperature uniformacross the faces of the rolls and the diameter of the rolls uniform sothat they alter the same resistance throughout their width to thematerial being rolled in the mill.

30. A sheet rolling mill comprising relatively small-diameter workingrolls between which the material passes, relatively large-diameterbacking-up rolls" in contact with the working rolls, and means forholding the backing-up rolls against the working rolls including membersad- J'acent opposite ends of the backing-up rolls for regulating thepressure of the backing-up rolls against the working rolls, andmechanism for moving the members at the opposite end of each backing-uproll in unison and in such a manner that every point of said membersmoves in a..

work with great pressure, of cam means for moving the backing-up rollsto bring the working rolls closer together, said cam means including arotarytcam at each end of each backingup roll, means supporting the camsfor each backingup roll for rotation in parallel planes, said cams beingso shaped and in such relation to the backing-up roll that theirrotation causes movement of the backing-up roll in a direction parallelto, the planes of rotation of the cams, and mechanism for operating saidcams in unison. 1 32. The combination with a rolling mill having workingrolls for rolling sheets, and backingup rolls for holding the workingrolls against the work with great pressure, of screw-down mechanismincluding plate cams located at the opposite ends of a backing-up roll,means supporting each cam for rotation in a fixed plane, and commonmechanism for rotating both of the cams in unison so that both ends ofthe backingon the working rolls and work is maintained equal across theentire width of the work.

33. In a sheet rolling mill, working. rolls through which the sheetspass, backing-up rolls in contact with the working rolls for holdingthem against the work with great pressure, a shaft extending through oneof the backing-up rolls, anti-friction bearings between the shaft andthe backing-up roll, said bearings being located within the roll andspaced from the ends of the roll to reduce the unsupported span of saidroll, plate cams rigidly connected with opposite ends of the equalizingshaft, and means for rotating the shaft and both of the plate cams as aunit to change the position of the backing-up roll.

34. In a rolling mill for rolling sheet material of any practical widthup to a width substantially equal to the length of the body of therolls, the combination of two sets of rolls including an upper and alower working roll and an upper and a lower hollow backing-up roll,means for bringing the rolls together by an equal amount from end to endto regulate the pressure against the work, said means comprising anequalizing shaft extending through and projecting beyond the end of eachbacking-up roll, a cam rigidly connected to each end of the equalizingshaft, a connecting frame joining both cams, and mechanism connectingwith said frame for moving .it and the cams and equalizing shaft inunison.

35. In a rolling mill for rolling sheet material of any practical widthup to a width substantially equal to the length of the body of therolls, the combination of two sets of rolls comprising an upper and alower working roll and upper and lower backing-up rolls, together withmeans including rotatable equalizer shafts mounted in and securely keyedto rotatable housings, together with bearings for said rotatablehousings, cam faces on said rotatable housings and-cam bearing blockscooperating therewith, means securely tying together the rotatablehousings, and electric motor-operated means cooperating with a screwconnectedto the rotatable housing for causing said housings to rotate ineither direction so that said working rolls and backing-up rolls advancetowards each other or retreat from each other by an equal amount fromend to end and cause said rolls to offer substantially the sameresistance for their whole length to the material being rolled, togetherwith fluid-filled accumulator ,means, displacement balance cylinders andmeans cooperating therewith for balancing said upper backing-up roll,rotatable equalizing shaft, rotatable housings and cam bearing blocksand keeping them in tight contact with seats in the mill housings;together with fluid-filled accumulator, displacement balance cylindersvand means cooperating, therewith for balancing said upper working roll,and working roll housings and for keeping both the upper and lowerworking rolls in firm contact with the upper and lower backing-up rollsto provide traction for driving the backing-up rolls, together withwedge means between mill housings and the cam bearing blocks .foralining said working and backing-up rolls in the housings.

36. In a four-high rolling mill for rolling sheet material extendingpractically the full width of the mill, the combination of an upper andat lower Working roll and an upper and a lower backing-up roll, togetherwith operating mechanism for bringing the rolls together, said operatingmechanism being constructed and arranged so that each end of each pairof rolls is brought together by exactly the same amount and offer-thesame resistance to material being rolled in the mill, said operatingmechanism up roll against the working roll, including cam meanscomprising a screw threading through a screw box or nut, supportingmeans extending from each end of the backing-up roll, plate cam means ateach end of the backing-up roll and into which said supporting meansextend, and motion-transmitting connections through which the cam meansat each end of the backing up roll are operated as a unit by relativemovement of said screw and screw box.

38. In a rolling mill, working rolls, backing-up rolls for holding theworking rolls against the work with great pressure, mechanism forchanging the position of at least one of the backingup rolls to regulatethe pressure oi. the working rolls against the work, said mechanismcomprising a shaft on which the backing-up roll rotates, cams into whichthe opposite ends of said shaft extend, a rigid connection between thecams making them parts of a common rigid structural unit, and anoperating device for moving said unit to change the position of thebacking-up roll.

39. In a rolling mill having a plurality of rolls, mechanism forchanging the position of at least one of the rolls to regulate thepressure of the mill against the work, .said mechanism comprising ashaft on which the pressure-regulating roll rotates, cams into which theopposite ends of said shaft extend, a rigid connection between the camsmaking them-parts of a common rigid structural unit, and an operatingdevice for moving said unit to change the position of the pressureregulating roll.

40. In a rolling mill of the class having working rolls held against thework by backing-up rolls, the combination with at least one of hebacking-up rolls of an equalizer shaft extending through said backing-upr011, cam means secured to the equalizer shaft to form a unitarystructure with said shaft, said means having a cam surface through whichis transmitted the thrust that holds the backing-up roll against theworking roll, and apparatus for moving the shaft and cam means as a unitto adjust the roll pressure.

41. A rolling mill including working rolls, backing-up rolls, and meansfor shifting the position of at least one of the backing-up rolls toregulate the pressure of the working rolls against the work, said meanscomprising rigid plate cams adjacent each end of the backing-up roll,

roll supporting means extending from opposite ends of the backing-uproll and into said cams in such relation that rotation of the camsshifts the backing-up roll toward or from the working rolls, and aconnection securely fastened to the plate cams at both ends of saidbacking-up roll for moving both plate vcams as a unit to shift both endsof the backing-up roll by precisely the same amount.

42. In or for a rolling mill, a hollow roll and temperaturewontrollingapparatus within the roll including means for cooling several differentlongitudinal portions of the rollto substantially the same temperaturein order to maintain the diameter and the pressure of the roll againstone or more cooperating rolls substantially constant across the entirewidth of the face of said roll when the roll is operated in a rollingmili.

PERCY W. MATTHEWS.

